Police

MESSAGE FROM THE CHIEF

Welcome to the Clatskanie Police Department home page. As Chief of Police, I am honored to work for the great community of Clatskanie and the surrounding area. The Clatskanie Police Department has a long history of working with citizens to enforce state and local laws. The Clatskanie Police Department works hard to keep our town a great place to live and raise children by being partners with you. Together we will continue to keep our community safe for everyone.

POLICE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Always call 911 when you have an emergency.

For non-emergency calls please call the Columbia County 911 Center at 1-800-696-7795 or 503-397-1521.

The Clatskanie police department's office phone number is 503-728-2145

NUISANCE VIOLATORS

Both citizens and businesses within City limits are required to keep their property neat and clean in appearance. Those failing to meet this standard may be subject to fines issued by the Police Department.

Chapter 4 of the City Ordinances specifically addresses this law regarding your property.

MOVE OVER IT'S THE LAW

In the past ten years, more than 700 officers have been killed in traffic incidents. In many of these cases officers were pulled over to the side of the road conducting traffic stops when they were struck by drivers not paying attention. That's why there is a strict law in Oregon designed to protect police and other emergency workers.

The Move Over Law (ORS 811.147) says if your driving up behind any type of police or emergency vehicle pulled over on the roadside with emergency lights flashing you must:

Move over into another lane.

If you can't move over safely, slow down.

In all cases, the driver must try to provide as much room as possible for the emergency vehicle. In Clatskanie, some of our streets and parts of the highway are not very wide. I'm asking all citizens and visitors to take extra caution when you see one of us pulled over with our emergency lights flashing.

TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS

If damage to vehicles is minimal (less than $1,500.00) and you have exchanged information with the other parties involved in the accident you don't need to contact the police. If there is an injury or the vehicle damage exceeds $1,500.00 you must file an accident form at the Police Department or you can download them from the Oregon DMV website.

IMPOUNDED VEHICLES

If your car was impounded by the Clatskanie Police Department you will need to bring the following to the police department to obtain a release:

Proof of insurance

Proof of ownership, such as a title or registration. If the title has been signed on the back indicating a release of ownership, DO NOT bring it in as proof of ownership. You must first take the title to the Department of Motor Vehicles to complete the transfer.

If the owner of the vehicle cannot be present, we need a notarized letter, signed by the owner allowing another individual to retrieve the vehicle.

The owner of the vehicle, or the person authorized to retrieve the vehicle, must bring photo identification.

A driver with a valid license. If your vehicle was towed for driving while suspended, we will require TWO drivers be present when the vehicle is released.

$75.00 administrative fee cash only.

COPIES OF POLICE REPORTS

If you need a copy of a police report please complete the request form available on the website. Submit your request, along with the $20.00 fee to the police department.

PLEASE NOTE: Any report(s) involving a case under investigation cannot be released without approval of the City Attorney or Columbia County District Attorney (503-397-0300).

For reports involving a juvenile you must contact the Columbia County Juvenile Department at 503-397-0275. Clatskanie Police Department does not release reports or information regarding juveniles.